Krosshaugen is a stone cross dating from the earliest Christian period in Norway (about 1000 AD). This location has functioned as a Parliament site and the cross may be a monument to the farmers who converted to the Christian faith during sessions of Parliament. It is believed that Christian mass was performed beside these stone crosses before churches were built.

Once the Roman forum, this square has always been at the centre of local life. It’s still busy, surrounded by old buildings, cafés, and market stalls selling souvenirs and snacks. A good place to pause and take in the mix of history and noise, especially if you grab a cup of coffee and just watch the flow.

First held in 1991, the Qingdao International Beer Festival has grown into Asia’s largest beer event. Every August, starting on the second Sunday of the month, the festival kicks off and runs for 16 days in the city’s Shilaoren National Tourism Resort. This sprawling 35-hectare 'Beer City' is built specifically for the occasion, where beer lovers from all over the world come together. While you can always grab a Tsingtao Beer in Qingdao, nothing compares to the carnival buzz of the festival. Expect a fun mix of live music, international brews, and plenty of opportunities to sample the local favourite—Tsingtao Beer, of course. One quirky Qingdao tradition to note: fresh beer is often sold in plastic bags. So, don’t be surprised when you see people strolling the streets with a bag of beer in hand. It's all part of the fun.

Just outside of town, this beautiful Renaissance garden is perched on a hillside overlooking the sea. Palm trees, mandarins and grapefruits grow in this wonderful lush garden together with 400-year-old trees with some reaching heights of 50 metres. Particularly well-worth visiting on a sunny day in spring.